- Doumba is a seasoned digital entrepreneur and strategist, founder of ClikAfrik and ClikPay, with a strong background in financial inclusion and digital transformation.
- He will lead key projects including fiber optic expansion, data center construction, and development of Libreville’s tech hub, supporting Gabon’s emergence as a regional innovation leader.
Two days after his inauguration as the fourth President of the Gabonese Republic, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguéma on Tuesday unveiled the first government of his seven-year term. A key appointment was Mark Alexandre Doumba as Minister of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation. He succeeds Brigadier General Bonjean Rodrigue Mbanza, who held the same portfolio in the preceding transitional government.
Prior to this appointment, Mark Alexandre Doumba briefly served as Minister of Economy and Participations. His reassignment to head this strategic ministry underscores the authorities' intent to bolster the nation's modernization through innovation and technology.
Mark Alexandre Doumba, 38, is recognized as an experienced entrepreneur and a digital finance strategist. As the founder of the ClikAfrik group and the neobank ClikPay, he has made financial inclusion through digital technology a central focus of his work. Notably, he contributed to the establishment of the Digital Investment Window, a platform that facilitated the formalization of tens of thousands of Gabonese micro and small businesses. He holds degrees from George Washington University, the London School of Economics, and the Harvard Kennedy School.
The new minister assumes a substantial portfolio with several priority initiatives, including the revitalization of the national fiber optic backbone, the construction of sovereign data centers, and the modernization of public services through digital technology. These projects are among the key priorities outlined in the transitional president's roadmap.
Mark Alexandre Doumba will also be tasked with revitalizing the Gabonese Innovation Center and bringing to fruition the digital and industrial technopole project, which aims to establish Libreville as a significant regional hub for innovation. His pragmatic approach and expertise in digital transformation and strategic partnerships position him to play a crucial role in Gabon's emergence as a major innovation player in Central Africa.
Samira Njoya
As a technology professional, he focuses on the unique needs of African businesses. His aim is to support their growth and financial success.
Kenfield Griffith, a Kenyan tech entrepreneur, is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Tappi, a startup established in 2022 with the goal of fostering growth among local small businesses.
Tappi develops comprehensive digital solutions for online commerce, designed to enhance the visibility of small businesses, facilitate connections with new customers, and their long-term business relationships. The platform notably incorporates messaging and payment services, enhanced by artificial intelligence.
Griffith is also a co-founder and board member of Ajua, another startup launched in 2019. Ajua focuses on bridging the gap between businesses and their customers by gathering and analyzing customer feedback. The company offers quantitative solutions to measure, improve, and leverage customer satisfaction.
Before his involvement with Tappi and Ajua, Griffith co-founded mSurvey in 2012, a company specializing in mobile money-based feedback systems. He served as CEO of mSurvey until 2019, during which time the company offered an integrated customer experience analytics platform tailored for the African market.
Griffith's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in computer science and engineering from the University at Buffalo, earned in 2004. He further obtained a PhD in design and computation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2012, and more recently, a business administration degree from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2022.
Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Griffith worked as a data analyst at the biopharmaceutical company Pfizer from 2000 to 2003.
Melchior Koba
He is passionate about applying technology to marketing. As an entrepreneur, his goal is to help businesses increase sales with minimal effort.
Ugandan computer scientist and tech entrepreneur Ethan Bampeire (photo) is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Neexa, an AI-powered technology platform designed to simplify marketing processes.
Launched in 2023, Neexa operates as a fully autonomous customer relationship management (CRM) solution. Leveraging artificial intelligence, the platform automatically engages potential customers (leads), ensures consistent follow-up, and facilitates their conversion into paying clients. The core objective is to enable businesses to boost their sales without requiring additional effort.
Neexa was developed by Campaignity Technologies, a startup also co-founded and led by Bampeire since 2020. This company specializes in creating user-friendly marketing and sales automation tools specifically tailored to the needs of the African market, with a mission to support the business growth of companies across the continent.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Bampeire's entrepreneurial endeavors aim to "provide African SMEs with the tools and support needed to easily build sustainable business growth, and remains committed to driving innovation and change to actualize this vision."
Ethan Bampeire holds a degree from the College of Computing and Information Science at Makerere University. Prior to establishing Campaignity Technologies, he served as the Managing Director of Optibrave Digital, a performance-focused internet marketing company based in Uganda, from 2016 to 2021.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
Faced with the increasing digitalization of commerce, this solution can help small South African businesses become digital-ready.
South African startup BoxCommerce has developed a digital solution enabling small businesses to easily create online stores without requiring technical expertise. Launched in 2019 and headquartered in Johannesburg under the leadership of Craig Mcleod, BoxCommerce integrates essential e-commerce functionalities – hosting, design, inventory management, payments, and deliveries – into a user-friendly mobile interface.
The BoxCommerce solution features a mobile application available on the Android platform, where it has garnered over a thousand downloads via the Play Store. Users can create an account and access a comprehensive dashboard offering various features to build and manage their online storefront. The platform incorporates local payment systems, emphasizing simplicity to streamline the management of newly established online shops.
In May 2025, BoxCommerce announced its expansion into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while reaffirming its ongoing commitment to the African continent. According to Craig Mcleod, "The UAE is a strategic market for BoxCommerce. With mobile commerce dominating and over 70% of the population shopping online, the country is projected to grow its e-commerce market size to AED 48 billion (approximately $13 billion) by 2028. Our platform is designed to help local businesses tap into this explosive growth."
This expansion underscores BoxCommerce's ambition to develop a versatile and accessible tool capable of supporting small businesses globally. While e-commerce remains a relatively small segment in many parts of Africa, this South African innovation highlights a significant trend: the emergence of homegrown solutions designed to address the continent's unique challenges.
By Adoni Conrad Quenum,
Editing by Feriol Bewa
- Cape Verde launched a technology park aimed at becoming a regional tech hub
- The park offers international-standard infrastructure and tax incentives
- It supports economic diversification and youth employment
Cape Verde officially inaugurated TechPark CV on Monday, a regional technology center designed to boost innovation and digital transformation both within the island nation and beyond its borders.
The project, backed by a 45.59 million euro ($51.7 million) investment from the African Development Bank (AfDB), is a key strategic move for Cape Verde as it aims to establish itself as a technology hub in West Africa.
"TechPark CV offers a welcoming space where innovators from diverse backgrounds and cultures can collaborate and flourish together," stated Carlos Monteiro, President of TechPark CV. "Through this initiative, we are not simply constructing a digital center; we are cultivating a community where technology fuels economic growth and sustainable development for Cape Verde and our international partners."
The technology park aligns with the nation's broader economic diversification strategy and is a component of Cape Verde’s 2030 digital economy development plan. The investment represents nearly 2% of the country’s gross domestic product, underscoring the significant emphasis placed on digital technology within its growth model.
International-Standard Infrastructure
The technology park features data centers, co-working spaces, a training facility, a business center, and a conference center, all interconnected by high-speed infrastructure. Its designation as a Special Economic Zone for Technologies (ZEET) provides appealing tax benefits, including VAT exemption, reduced import duties, and a lowered corporate tax rate of 2.5%.
Operating across two campuses located in Praia on Santiago Island and Mindelo on São Vicente Island, TechPark CV already houses 23 companies and has the capacity for up to 1,500 professionals. It aspires to become a focal point for innovation, training, and experimentation, while also attracting foreign investment.
Beyond attracting domestic and international businesses, TechPark CV aims to be a catalyst for the development of crucial technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, fintech, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Cape Verde also intends to strengthen its regional cooperation through a partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to contribute to the expansion of digital innovation in West Africa.
The project prioritizes the integration of local talent. It fosters partnerships with academic institutions and seeks to create job opportunities for Cape Verdean youth, thereby contributing to the development of human capital and the strengthening of the national economy.
Samira Njoya
- India pledged digital infrastructure support to Angola, including cooperation in e-governance, space, and healthcare
- $200M defense credit line and will help implementdigital public infrastructure model, enabling digital IDs, e-payments, and social registries in Angola.
India has pledged to share its expertise in digital public infrastructure with Angola. The announcement came after a meeting in New Delhi on Friday, May 3, between visiting Angolan President João Lourenço (photo, left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (photo, right). The initiative aims to enhance e-governance and streamline citizen access to public services in Angola.
According to a joint statement, India has "approved a $200 million credit line for Angola's defense and will collaborate in the areas of digital public infrastructure, space, and healthcare." The partnership seeks to introduce Angola to India's model of digital public infrastructure (DPI), an interoperable system that digitizes administrative services, promotes financial inclusion, and connects citizens with essential services.
This collaboration could enable Angola to implement digital identification systems, electronic payment platforms, and unified social registries. It also includes provisions for cooperation in the space sector and training in digital skills.
The announcement underscores a growing strategic alignment between the two nations, which are marking 40 years of diplomatic ties this year. It also reflects India's ambition to expand its technological influence across the African continent. India has already deployed similar systems in Africa, notably through its Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP), which countries like Morocco, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ethiopia have adopted or are in the process of implementing. Furthermore, India is collaborating with several African nations to develop digital payment systems inspired by its Unified Payments Interface (UPI), with advanced discussions underway, particularly with Rwanda.
Ultimately, this partnership has the potential to accelerate the modernization of Angolan government services, improve administrative efficiency, and stimulate local innovation. It represents strategic support for Angola as it strives to improve its standing in international digital governance rankings. According to the United Nations, Angola currently ranks 156th out of 193 in the 2024 e-Government Development Index, with a score of 0.4149, falling below both the African average (0.4247) and the global average (0.6382).
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
- African tech startup funding dropped from $5.2B in 2021 to $2.2B in 2024, with fintech most affected; global VC slowdown and investor caution cited as key causes.
- Healthtech remains resilient, attracting over $1B in five years; startups like Ilara Health (Kenya) and Waspito (Cameroon) are addressing critical healthcare access issues.
- Connectivity and affordability remain major hurdles, with limited mobile internet access and high smartphone costs slowing healthtech adoption despite infrastructure gains.
A recent dip in funding for African tech startups reflects a broader slowdown in venture capital and increased investor caution due to global economic uncertainties. Following a boom in investment in 2021, the global venture capital market, including in Africa, underwent a correction in 2022 and 2023.
"Two years into the global downturn, it's clear the African tech ecosystem is experiencing the full severity of it even though it's faring much better than the Latin America and Southeast Asia regions," Cyril Collon, General Partner at the transatlantic fund Partech, noted in 2024.
He added that "despite this correction, over the last 10 years, the African tech ecosystem has still grown nearly tenfold in transactions and funding amount with about $20 billion invested in roughly 3,000 deals, 68% of it in the last three years."
According to Partech Africa, African startups collectively raised $5.2 billion in equity funding in 2021, a figure that dropped to $2.2 billion in 2024. Fintech, historically the most attractive segment for investment on the continent, also felt the impact of this capital squeeze. In 2021, African fintech companies raised $3.2 billion, representing 63% of total funding, compared to $1.35 billion in 2024.
A Resilient Ecosystem
Despite the funding pullback, healthtech has attracted over $1 billion in Africa over the past five years, according to Ecofin Agency. From $18 million in 2018, funding surged tenfold the following year to $189 million, peaking at $230 million in 2021. These investments have enabled innovators to proliferate e-health solutions across the continent, ranging from telemedicine platforms to drone delivery of medication and blood in road-inaccessible areas.
In Kenya, Ilara Health provides affordable diagnostic tools to healthcare providers in rural areas. The company partners with artificial intelligence services integrated into its technology platforms distributed to doctors, thereby improving the organization of patient care in rural settings. Since its 2019 launch, Ilara Health has secured approximately $10.8 million in investment to fuel its activities.
Cameroonian healthtech startup Waspito connects patients and doctors for instant video consultations through its mobile app available on iOS and Android. Launched in 2020, Waspito has raised around $8.7 million, according to Crunchbase, to develop its technology and expand into other African countries such as Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal.
These startups are tackling the critical shortage of healthcare professionals and infrastructure across the continent. In 2021, sub-Saharan Africa averaged 2.3 doctors and 12.6 nurses/midwives per 10,000 inhabitants, compared to 39.4 and 89.5 in Europe, for example. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that Africa will face a deficit of 6.1 million health professionals by 2030, a 45% increase from 2013 estimates.
"The severe shortage of health professionals in Africa has disastrous implications. Without adequate and well-trained staff, tackling challenges such as maternal and infant mortality, infectious and non-communicable diseases, and the provision of essential health services like vaccination remains a difficult battle," said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, in 2022.
Scaling Healthtech: Overcoming Hurdles
Expanding access to healthtech solutions faces the significant challenge of limited internet access across the continent. Data from the GSM Association (GSMA) indicates that sub-Saharan Africa had 320 million mobile internet users in 2023, with a penetration rate of 27%. This figure is projected to grow annually by 6.2% to reach 520 million by 2030, representing a penetration rate of 37%.
This limited access is attributed to the cost of smartphones, the price of internet service, and infrastructure limitations. The GSMA emphasizes "an urgent need to reform taxation to improve the affordability of smartphones and mobile services, whose cost is a major barrier to mobile broadband adoption."
Africa's Telecommunications Infrastructure Index (TII) score in 2024 was 0.4534 out of 1, according to the United Nations. This represents a 27.8% increase from 2022, when the score was 0.3548. The global average, in contrast, was 0.6896 out of 1.
If these various obstacles can be overcome, healthtech has the potential to become a strategic cornerstone for the sustainable improvement of Africa's healthcare sector. By leveraging digital tools to bring care closer to the population, startups in this sector are reinventing healthcare delivery. The crucial question remains whether the ecosystem can once again attract the necessary funding to move beyond pilot projects and achieve systemic integration.
- Yasser Shaker has been appointed CEO of Orange MEA, effective July 1, 2025, succeeding Jérôme Hénique, who becomes CEO of Orange France.
- Shaker brings 25+ years of tech industry experience.
French telecom group Orange announced on Monday, May 5, a leadership change for its Middle East and Africa (Orange MEA) division, tapping Yasser Shaker (photo), the current chief executive officer of Orange Egypt, as its new head. His appointment takes effect on July 1, 2025. Shaker succeeds Jérôme Hénique, who has been named Executive Director and CEO of Orange France. Shaker will also join the Orange MEA Board of Directors upon assuming his new role on June 1.
A telecommunications engineer and alumnus of Cairo University's Faculty of Engineering, Shaker also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Rennes School of Business. He will become a member of Orange Group's executive committee. Christel Heydemann, Orange's Chairwoman and CEO, expressed strong confidence in his ability to succeed, stating that "his extensive experience and deep knowledge of the region will be essential to continuing our growth momentum."
Shaker will continue the mission set by his predecessor: to establish Orange MEA as a premium multi-service operator. Currently active in several high-growth sectors—including mobile data, mobile finance, cybersecurity, support for technological innovation, and energy—OMEA was the group's primary growth engine in 2024. Comprising 16 African subsidiaries and Jordan, OMEA reported revenues of 7.683 billion euros ($8.2 billion), an 11.1% increase compared to 2023.
Shaker, who has served as CEO of Orange Egypt since May 1, 2018, began his career in the satellite industry. Over more than 25 years, he has played a pivotal role in the technology sector. Orange credits its Egyptian subsidiary's "record levels of growth and profitability, despite a challenging macroeconomic environment" to his leadership. Before taking the helm at Orange Egypt, Shaker held the position of Chief Technology Innovation Officer at OMEA.
Muriel EDJO
Ghana’s Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation will train 3,000 girls this year through its Girls-In-ICT Initiative, expanding in-person sessions to the Volta, Upper East, and Upper West regions, with 1,000 participants in each.
Participants will receive training in coding, computer literacy, cybersecurity, and digital creativity, along with mentorship, career workshops, and ICT competitions designed to build skills and confidence.
Launched in Ghana in 2012, the Girls-In-ICT Initiative—supported by the International Telecommunication Union—aims to inspire girls to pursue careers in STEM and support Ghana’s broader push for digital inclusion.
Money Fellows, a fintech platform digitizing traditional savings practices, has raised $13 million in new funding. The funds will boost platform upgrades and support regional expansion.
The round was co-led by Al Mada Ventures (AMV) and DPI Venture Capital via the Nclude Fund, with continued backing from Partech and CommerzVentures. The investment will help scale access to digital savings, lending, and investment services, particularly in underserved communities.
With plans to expand into North Africa, Money Fellows aims to tap into rising demand for digital finance, driven by events like the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
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In Nigeria, access to higher education remains a major challenge for many families due to the high cost of tuition fees. To address this, fintech company PressPayNg offers a digital solution designed to help parents finance their children’s education.
PressPayNg, a fintech solution developed by a Nigerian startup, enables parents of students to gradually save funds to cover their children's university tuition fees. Founded in 2021 by Abiola Metilelu, the platform aims to ensure uninterrupted educational paths for all, regardless of financial limitations.
"With the average cost of public universities in Nigeria at $125-$500 per year, the average cost of private institutions at $2,700 annually, and an average annual tertiary education dropout rate of 18%, affording and financing education have become fundamental challenges for Nigerians," the startup explains.
The solution is accessible through a mobile application available on both iOS and Android platforms. According to the Play Store, the app has been downloaded over 10,000 times. Beyond savings functionalities, PressPayNg also provides access to flexible educational loans, scholarships, and sponsorship opportunities through partnerships established with educational institutions, companies, and donors.
The startup's core mission is to democratize access to education through technology. By simplifying financial planning, it targets both parents and students, who often encounter financial instability during enrollment periods.
This approach aligns with a broader trend of financial and social inclusion, where fintech companies play a crucial role in addressing gaps left by traditional financial systems. Looking ahead, PressPayNg envisions building a sustainable education financing ecosystem, spanning from the initial tuition payment to professional integration, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and future-ready society.
By Adoni Conrad Quenum,
Editing by Feriol Bewa
In a context marked by accelerated digital transformation, entrepreneurs play a key role in the adoption of innovative solutions. Among them, Momar Diop stands out for his commitment to advancing technological practices in Africa.
Momar Diop (photo) is a Senegalese serial entrepreneur specializing in the development of innovative technological solutions. He is a co-founder and the CEO of Africa Digitale Native (ADNCORP), a company founded in 2016 that offers digital solutions focused on data analysis and digital transformation.
ADNCORP empowers businesses to enhance their performance by fully capitalizing on their technological capabilities. The company designs digital tools that enable clients to leverage their data for strategic decision-making and the identification of new avenues for growth.
Notably, ADNCORP develops chatbots to improve customer engagement and drive sales. The company also designs web and mobile applications to facilitate the digitization of business processes.
In 2022, with a focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), ADNCORP launched the Beezee application. This application allows users to digitize their invoicing and expense tracking processes, providing them with key indicators and data analysis for effective business management, Momar Diop explained in 2022.
Deeply committed to the growth of Senegal's tech ecosystem, Diop also presides over Sen Startup, an independent organization that unites innovation stakeholders across the country. Beyond ADNCORP, he co-founded Skillake in 2016, a platform dedicated to job searching within emerging markets.
Diop holds a master's degree from TBS Education, a business school in France. Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, he worked as a financial analyst for several companies. In 2011, he became a sales manager at Altran, an IT company in France. He held the same position at CGI in France, an IT services and consulting firm, between 2014 and 2015.
Melchior Koba
He is an active information technology professional with experience spanning the corporate sector, public administration, and entrepreneurship.
Karim Nazonna Soro (photo) is an Ivorian computer engineer and entrepreneur specializing in technology. He is the founder and CEO of Innov Invest, a startup that designs and manufactures computers and tablets “made in Côte d’Ivoire.”
The Innov Invest project was launched in 2014 before officially becoming a company in 2019. The startup specializes in designing ICT (information and communication technologies) solutions.
Soro's core ambition is to dismantle technological barriers and make computing accessible to all Ivorians. Innov Invest's product line includes computers, mini-PCs, and both standard and educational tablets tailored for children, all designed to meet the specific needs of African users.
"Innov Invest is much more than just a computer manufacturer. It is a company committed to developing its ecosystem and Ivorian youth," the company states on its website. Beyond its hardware offerings, the startup develops custom software applications, provides IT maintenance and repair services, and conducts training programs in the information technology field.
Soro is also the Sales and Marketing Director at Fret Consignation Logistique (FCL). His academic background includes a higher technician certificate (BTS) in new information and communication technologies (NICT) earned in 2011 from ALT Académie in Côte d’Ivoire. He further holds a master’s degree in engineering, specializing in networks and telecommunications, obtained in 2014 from the Institut des technologies d’Abidjan.
In 2022, he was named Best Young Entrepreneur at the Poro Golden Awards and subsequently received the Best Young Entrepreneur award in the "Technological Innovation" category at the 2023 Young Entrepreneurs Awards. In 2023, his company was honored with the award for Best Innovative Technology Company in Africa by the African Intellectual Property Organization. This was followed by the prestigious 2024 Excellence Award, bestowed by the Presidency of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.
By Melchior Koba,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
- Madagascar plans to partner with Pakistan’s Beaj Education to train underqualified “FRAM teachers” using AI-supported 20-minute WhatsApp modules.
- A pilot program with content in Malagasy and French is planned, but no timeline has been announced.
The Malagasy government is exploring a partnership with Pakistani educational technology firm Beaj Education to enhance the skills of its "FRAM teachers" – community-based educators often lacking formal professional training.
The groundwork for this collaboration was established last week during a meeting in the United States at the Harvard Kennedy School. Representatives from Madagascar's Ministries of Digital Development and National Education met with Zainab Qureshi, the founder of Beaj.
The proposed project features an innovative training program built around concise, 20-minute modules delivered via WhatsApp. This program would be supported by multilingual artificial intelligence tools, including ChatGPT and Gemini. A pilot phase is in the works, with content tailored to the local context in both Malagasy and French languages. However, a specific timeline for implementation has not yet been announced.
This initiative reflects the Malagasy government's intent to harness digital technology to tackle the issue of inadequate training among "FRAM teachers." These educators are a vital component of the national education system, particularly in rural regions. A UNICEF report issued in November 2024 indicated that 64% of teachers in Madagascar's rural areas fall into this category.
"FRAM teachers tend to have lower academic qualifications [...], often holding only a lower secondary school certificate. Although the official minimum qualification required to become a teacher in Madagascar is the completion of upper secondary education, such candidates are not always available, which forces parent-teacher associations to hire underqualified candidates," the U.N. agency explained.
While AI-powered training could bolster the skills of "FRAM teachers" and elevate the quality of education, the chosen delivery method could present accessibility challenges. Accessing training via WhatsApp necessitates a smartphone and internet connectivity – resources that remain limited for a significant portion of Madagascar's population. According to the International Telecommunication Union, nearly 80% of Malagasy citizens lack internet access.
By Isaac K. Kassouwi,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodjiv